MUELLER TRIAL: Opening statements may be in store Wednesday

SAN ANGELO, Texas - GUNNISON, Colo. — Court officials on Tuesday were finalizing a list of jurors for the final leg of voir dire to take place this morning.

After two days of questions from Seventh District Chief Judge Steven Patrick, attorneys will have a chance to speak directly to Gunnison County residents summoned to serve in the murder trial of San Angelo businessman Frederick Harold Mueller.

Mueller is accused of killing his wife, Leslie Mueller, in 2008 near their vacation home in Lake City, Colo.

During Tuesday morning's ­panel, more than half a dozen women cited a history, either as a witness or victim, of domestic violence that they believe could affect their ability to be impartial in the trial.

One potential juror, who worked with abused women, said she would try to stay unbiased, but the task would be difficult.

"I would love to say yes," she answered when the judge asked if she could set those feelings aside, "but internally maybe not."

Frederick Mueller, who is innocent until proven guilty, is represented by a team of lawyers headed by Houston attorney Mike DeGeurin.

District Attorney Dan Hotsenpiller is prosecuting the case along with Deputy District Attorney Keith Mandelski and special prosecutor Matthew Durkin, assistant attorney general with Colorado's AG office.

Opening statements and presentation of evidence may begin as early as Wednesday afternoon.

Patrick said the defense and prosecution will get three hours to question the remaining group Wednesday. Each side gets 12 peremptory strikes, meaning they don't have to provide a reason, to dismiss potential jurors.

There will be 12 jurors selected, as well as two alternates; 600 names were in the original call.

Leslie Mueller was originally said to have fallen to her death in an accident on a hiking trail, but a four-year investigation by the Gunnison County Sheriff's Office resulted in charges against her husband, alleging that he killed her.

Patrick determined at a hearing last February there was probable cause to bring the case before a jury. He sided with the prosecution that Mueller could be a flight risk and declined to set bail.

Mueller was arrested in San Angelo last year and has remained in Gunnison County Jail since his extradition.

Mueller's trial, which will be heard Mondays through Thursdays, is expected to last five weeks.

Leslie Mueller was San Angelo's first female obstetrician-gynecologist and practiced at West Texas Medical Associates. She and her family were members of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Wall.